Wonga Beach, The Daintree, Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge........

We left a drizzly Cairns and continued to make our way further north as we wanted to have a look at The Daintree as we were so close now.  Bill had seen a leaflet advertising an early morning Bird cruise and so we had booked in for the next morning.  Now to find a home reasonably close.

We decided that Wonga Beach sounded like it was worth a look and after a phone call on route we were booked into the Wonga Beach Caravan Park.  Not too many free camps in this part of the world.  It was just over an hour away but we took our time enjoying the spectacular coastal drive up.  A little like the Great Ocean Rd in parts but nowhere to stop and look so it's just keep driving.  

We stopped for a look at Port Douglas and I just couldn't believe how commercial this little place was.  Resort after Resort lining the way in and more being built as we passed.  The little village was a typical holiday centre but obviously a very popular place judging by the people there.  Not for me I'm afraid!

Back on the road again we continued on to Wonga Beach and found our park and were soon settled in.  Now this has to be the quirkiest Caravan Park we have ever stayed in.  Full now for the next 4 - 5 months with grey nomads who literally live there to avoid the southern winter.  We know that it has happening for years but this was our first experience of such an event.  We had got the last spare spot for two nights and really enjoyed our stay.

In front of our van was a very long table and chairs which we were informed was where 'Happy Hour' took place each evening.  A few locals dropped by each day about 3ish and then over the next couple of hours people from the park started to join in.  We joined in for the two nights and enjoyed meeting and talking to these semi permanent residents.  Most were from Victoria, what a surprise, and they fished and played bowls just like at home in the summer.  With temps around 0 degrees back home it's not surprising at how many people we meet on the road from Victoria.

Wonga Beach itself was lovely too.  A white strip of sand fringed with Palm Trees made for an idyllic location, shame about the crocodile and stinger warnings eh!  We walked along the beautiful beach for an hour before coming home and sheltering from the wind.  The rain had stopped but the wind had been blowing all day.  

And we mustn't forget the 'Wonga Nuts'.  Large trees grow in the area that have a very large hard nut that drops down onto vehicles and leaves dents just like hailstones.  Each car is given a old doona and a heavy net to hold it on while there.  Very becoming I must say but I guess it prevents insurance claims for the local council.

The next morning we were up bright and early as we had to be at the wharf in Daintree Village for 6.45 for our cruise.  It was a 30 min drive in and dark so we couldn't see much other than the fact it was raining again.  Glad the boat had a roof.

We met 'Sauce' at the wharf and were soon all aboard and ready to motor away. His name is Worchester so what else would he be called!  It was very cool and damp but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of all the 'birders' on board.  Ponchos were provided!

We did see some lovely birds, Sacred Kingfishers, Azure Kingfishers, Forest Kingfishers, Darters, Kites, lots of Honeyeaters and the much sought after Great Billed Heron.  Also two reasonably large crocodiles just hanging out on the banks of the river.

Back on dry land we made our way back to the village and enjoyed coffee and scones at The Pub/Cafe before jumping in the car and following the signs back to the ferry.  We were going to cross the river on the ferry and see The Daintree.

Once across we followed our map and found ourselves in The Daintree at the Jindalba Boardwalk.  We enjoyed a walk here.  The rainforest here is just beautiful and you can certainly understand why this area has been heritage listed.  Hopefully people will continue to care for it so generations more get to experience it.  And in spite of the many 'Recent Cassowary Crossing' signs we still did not see one.

From here we decided that as we were so close we would continue on to Cape Tribulation and we are so glad we did.  The drive up was lovely though wet, yes it was still raining.  As I said before I suppose it is called The Wet Tropics for a reason and I guess without all the rain these forests would not be here.

At the Cape we walked out onto the beach looking back to see the rainforest coming down to the Sand.  Looking the other way were the mangroves which we walked through at low tide to get to the lookout for a better view over the water.  A beautiful part of the world.

We drove back to Wonga Beach where we found it had not rained all day but the wind had kept up a steady pace so the fishermen amongst them were still not happy.  The next morning we woke to a perfect morning.  Blue skies, sunshine and no wind.  Everyone was smiling but we had to pack up and continue our journey but first one more stop on the way.

Mossman Gorge was everything we hoped for.  A beautiful place, stunning scenery, huge rainforest.

You cannot drive up to the Gorge but stop at the discovery centre where you are taken up by bus to the Gorge.  From here there are a number of walks you can do with various lookouts along the way.  We joined the throngs and did the boardwalk before venturing out on the 7 km rainforest walk and found ourselves mainly alone.  

Back at the car we found the sun still shining and we set off once more towards The Tablelands but first thing was to find a place to stop tonight.  Rifle Creek Rest area at Mount Molloy sounded good so we made our way up the mountain from Mossman and found a fabulous free camp beside a river.  Lots of people there but plenty of room for us too.  More adventures to come but for now we relax

until next time.......

The Savannah Adventure begins.......

Leaving Ravenshoe we found the sign that said Savannah Way and we were off.  We had heard varying reports of the road conditions but this first part, though old and narrow, was sealed and quiet good to travel on.

We continued on during the day stopping by the roadside for lunch before an afternoon pit stop at Mt Surprise.  Not much here other than a pub, a campground and a small general store.  We walked to have a look at the quirky town name, one at each end of the Main Street before jumping in the car and driving on.

We deviated a little further on from here as we had decided to follow a loop road and have a look at the historic towns of Einasleigh and Forsayth.  But first we had to find a home for the night.  Bill had seen a place he liked the look of about 33 kms away beside the Einasleigh River.  We continued along the very rough unmade road until we arrived and found a spot.  Two other people had the same idea but with plenty of room for lots more we set up and were soon enjoying the tranquility of the Aussie bush miles from anywhere.  The next morning Bill had some fun with the Squatter Pigeons before we hit the road again and made our way into the little settlement of Einasleigh.  

Here we found Copperfield Gorge and enjoyed a walk along this interesting formation.  Named after the river that has gouged out this beautiful spot it is now a tourist attraction just across the road from the Pub!

We made our way from here to the township of Forsayth were we had lunch beside the tiny railway station.  This is where the Savannahlander Train ends its journey from Cairns.  I think Wilły's Touring Car got tired of waiting!

Unfortunately today was not a train day, so with not much else to see we returned to The Savannah Way and made our way to Georgetown.

Our stop here was just a few Kms down the road at Cumberland Chimney and Wetlands.  This amazing place was just lovely.  Lots of campers there but plenty of room for all.  The whole area was full of birds and once we set up we went for a walk and found lots of beautiful creatures to keep Bill happy.  The Yellow Honeyeater playing on the car mirror was just beautiful.

The next morning he went off again on his own and found the first Budgerigars and Cockatiels he had seen in the wild.  Also a family of Quails sneaking through the undergrowth in front of him.

Cumberland was born when gold was discovered there in 1872.  By 1878, it was one of the major producers of gold in the Etheridge Shire.  Stopping on the way out we had a look at The Chimney which is all that is left of this once thriving little town.

On the road again I was happy to see that our road was still sealed and fairly good to travel on.  Our first stop was at Croydon where we were going to have a quick look around and move on but instead found a lovely little town full of history and the end of the line for The Gulflander train.  This train runs from Normanton to Croydon each fortnight and returns the next day.   It had just arrived and the fornightly run out to Golden Gate was filling up fast.  We decided to stay and ride the train so we found a spot in the Caravan Park, set up and then went and explored the town.

The Historic Precinct is very well done with a group of buildings maintained and open to the public 'for free'.  This allows the visitors to take a step back in time and see how things were done many many years ago.  There was a Schoolroom, Hospital, Police Staion and Lockup (complete with talking prisoner), Courthouse and Town Hall.

That night we walked to the station and boarded the train and soon after were on our way.  The 30 min journey is fun with the driver commentating as we go.  We learnt that this train is often called the 'train from nowhere to nowhere'.  Construction began in 1888, completed in 1891and the 151 km of track was never connected with any other Queensland Rail network.  The line was constructed in an unusual manner, with hollow steel sleepers packed with mud to avoid the need for track ballast.  This method of construction also meant that the line was not subject to damage during frequent flooding during the wet season and today most of these original sleepers are still in place.

At Golden Gate we had a scrumptious dinner provided by one of the local ladies.  Beef and Vegetable soup and the best beef ribs ever.  As we left the tablelands you will remember that we had passed the Charity Bike Ride.  Well we had passed them again a couple of times and today had just beaten them in to Croydon where they were staying the night.  They all came on the train too and over dinner when discussing what time they were leaving in the morning a few of them decided that they could race the Gulflander to Normanton.  The train driver thought this was a great idea and so the race was on.

We enjoyed the trip back into Croydon Station and we are so pleased that we took the time out to enjoy a ride on this historic little train Rm93.   And so it was home to bed and time to pack up and hit the road again the next day.

until then........